Our perhaps less than shining heroes creep their way through Lady Fiona Wachter's mansion in search of the Tome of Strahd, for in its pages are said to be the keys to the mystery that is Strahd's origin and his weaknesses. With the help of Ching Shih the party maintains cover of stealth and ascends the creaky corridors, hearing the absolutely livid daughter screaming about some feline concern or another as they alight upon the master bedroom, slightly ajar, the sounds of rustling and muttering coming from within. Opting for the quiet entrance, Nikael weaves shadow magic and casts pass without trace on the party, however, Malchior trips on a floorboard and careens through the portico and into the middle of a band of cultists. Cultists who belong to Lady Wachter's book club, and who seem to seek the Tome of Strahd as well. With crucial support from Valdr and company, Malchior smooth talks the cultists into turning against Fiona Wachter and her dealings with Strahd and to hand over the tome. The key is nowhere to be found however Daven is one step ahead of everyone by already spiriting it away for safekeeping. With stealth and agility that would make a panther jealous the quick hands of the party disable or otherwise clear the perimeter, allowing Lucian time to cast detect magic on the late Lord Wachter. Sensing Necromancy, he alights the body in flame, as a sincere and genuine apparition of gratitude rises from the corpse and thanks Lucian for his compassion. Valdr, being a native, leads our erstwhile adventurers away from commotion and sight, through the trees at the edge of Vallaki, as the cultists soon scatter at the sight of an approaching Lady Wachter. Reconvening at the Blue Water Inn, Danika arranges a large room for Valdr and his guests, while Lucian moneybags drops five gold pieces on luscious fare for the evening. While ordering, Lucian arranges for Danika to send a raven should any odd news crop up, and agrees to help assess the problems they are having at the family winery, the Wizard of Wines vineyard. In the meeting Malchior digresses on the Tome and Daven, utilizing his practiced eyes and years of experience, deduces the wooden chest is trapped! Upon safely opening the chest, the Tome lay on a pile of bones, the last enemy of the house of Wachter. Malchior reads the Tome of Strahd out loud, penned by the devil himself, it details his history, family, origins, the beginning of his descent and the keys to his defeat! Valdr contributes titillating information regarding the issues surrounding the winery and his experiences with Strahd at Yesterhill, giving unparalleled insight into the devil's possible motives, as the merry band settles in for a night of fitful rest plagued by dreams of dreadful import...
